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Satnews Daily
April 16th, 2018

Honeywell and Ball Aerospace Combine Forces for Optical Comms Data Links — Also at 34th Space Symposium


Honeywell (NYSE: HON) is joining forces with Ball Aerospace to create and produce advanced optical communication data links.

With this product, satellite operators will be able to offer high-speed, high-capacity and affordable connectivity to commercial and government users worldwide.

Since the 1990s, Ball Aerospace and Honeywell have combined their knowledge and expertise on various optical communications capabilities. This new collaboration provides a unique North American solution for commercial and U.S. government markets. The optical communication terminals are manufactured entirely from North American-sourced parts, ensuring secure solutions for critical domestic missions.

Free-space optical communication systems provide an innovative complement to traditional radio frequency (RF) solutions, bringing the internet speeds of terrestrial fiber optics to space. Using laser technology, optical communication systems offer a much narrower and more focused beam than traditional RF links, resulting in higher data rates, more capacity, greater security, and smaller, lighter and more affordable terminals.

Marina Mississian, the Senior Director, Space Payloads, Honeywell Aerospace, said that working with Ball Aerospace, combining the company's optical and space manufacturing technologies with Ball’s extensive expertise in optical systems and solutions, creates a powerful world-class team to enable the transition of space communications into the optical communications era.

Brad Tousley, VP, Strategic Technology Development and Commercial Aerospace, Ball Aerospace, added that Ball and Honeywell are leveraging their respective strengths to collaboratively develop advanced optical terminals for inter-satellite links. The company team’s strong, proven capabilities in developing and manufacturing precision space-based optical systems will ensure the success of future LEO constellations.”

To learn more, visit Honeywell at the 34th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs at booth #428, April 16-19.